First aid for workplace can be defined as the initial temporary treatment given to an injured or ill employee at the place of work before professional medical care is available. First aid may help in minimizing the severity of injury or illness. In some extreme cases, first aid could make the difference between life and death.
First Aid Objectives
First aid for workplace is deliberately designed to serve some useful purposes, which are discussed as follows:
- To serve as a life preservation
- Avoid illness or injury becoming worse
- Serve as a pain reliever, if possible
- As a protection for the unconscious
Responsibility Of Businesses
Most governments across the world have health/safety legislation guiding businesses. Where such legislation exists, every business has a legal responsibility to ensure sufficient first aid for the workplace. Under such legislation, businesses must ensure:
- Provision of first aid equipment for the workplace
- Every employee must have free access to such first aid equipment
- Facilities for administering first aid must be freely accessible
- A sufficient number of employees should be trained to provide first aid for work place or, arrangement be made for employees to gain free access to other persons who are knowledgeable in first aid; when the need arises.
When many businesses carry out similar work activities in the same area, it’s allowed to share first aid for workplace facilities.
Employers should work hand-in-hand with workers to ensure that the right first aid facilities are provided. Employers should also ensure that adequate information on the available first aid facilities is provided to the workers.
Responsibility Of Workers
Employees must take adequate care of their health and safety, plus that of other people at the workplace.
Health and safety policies that are reasonable should be complied with by the employees. For example, employees are expected to abide by first aid procedures; also give an immediate report to the employer if injury or illness occurs.
First Aid Requirements
To ensure that you discharge your responsibilities as an employer, you are to consult with employees when deciding on first aid for workplace needs. This consultation becomes necessary with the belief that inputs from workers can add quality to the decisions on first aid matters.
Under the said legislation, employers making a decision on first aid for workplace needs must consider:
- Kind of work being done at the workplace.
- Type of hazard likely to occur at such workplace.
- Location plus size of such workplace.
- Nature of workers and their numbers, including the other persons coming to the workplace.
It is imperative to take into consideration the needs of your employees, plus that of the workplace, when making decisions on first aid for workplace requirements. For example, employees who work in a factory environment and are exposed to various hazards like unguarded machinery, electrical and biological risks face greater risks of getting involved in an injury, which may need fast first aid treatment.
First Aid Kits
First aid kits should have enough space for keeping the necessary items. It should be easy to be identified. It should have a list of content to show what is contained in the kit. Larger organizations should provide more than one first aid kit.
The Nutshell
First aid for workplace can be defined as the initial temporary treatment given to an injured or ill employee at the place of work, before professional medical care is available.
One of the numerous objectives of first aid for workplace is to preserve life. It is the responsibility of businesses to provide first aid facilities. Large organizations should provide more than one first aid kit.